Mounting losses obscuring Young's contributions

San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard (2) and Philadelphia 76ers' Nick Young (1) chase a loose ball in the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday Jan. 21, 2013, in Philadelphia. The Spurs won 90-85. (AP Photo H. Rumph Jr)

The piling up of losses has a way of burying big moments – like Nick Young’s the other night.

Taking a pass at the top of key, Young dribbled right and around his defender for a thunderous right-handed dunk. Not only did the slam cause teammate Kwame Brown to hum the SportsCenter theme on the bench, it cut the 76ers’ deficit at the time to two points.

Ultimately, the Sixers lost to Milwaukee, 110-102, and for the 16th time in 21 games overall. Yet Doug Collins did not want Young’s transition, from one-way player to significant contributor, to be lost on those around him.

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“To me, the work we’re putting in with Nick Young, that kid’s becoming a player,” the Sixers coach said. “That’s exciting for me, that Nick Young took a DNP and has busted his tail and has put together three terrific games. I’m so proud of him.

“He’s wanted to learn how to become a good basketball player, not just an act on the side – Swaggy P.”

Young did not play Jan. 12 in a win against Houston. While Collins reasoned that keeping Young on the bench was due to a particular matchup, in which he favored Damien Wilkins and Royal Ivey, there’s no question the effect of being benched resonated with Young, a fun-loving player who smiles even when things aren’t going right.

The 27-year-old Young is an easy player to rally around, from his on-court antics to his off-court public demonstrations of swag. Still, there was a clear lack of confidence after Young got benched, so to hear that his coach was lauding his efforts in Tuesday’s loss to the Bucks...

“That’s big,” said Young, who shot 8-for-16 for 20 points, with three rebounds and three assists. “I’m really just going out there, playing all out. I’m hearing the coaching staff and I’m doing what they ask of me. It’s tough, but I’m doing my best.”

Collins said the Sixers’ staff has committed to developing Young into an all-around talent.

That’s not to say Young won’t still jack 3-point attempts with plenty of time remaining on the shot clock, or be slow to get back on defense, or force a pass into no-man’s land. It means the Sixers can accept the yeoman’s work he’s put in lately.

Consider: In four games since the DNP against Houston, Young is averaging 13.8 points per game. He’s played at least 29 minutes in three of those, which shows he’s putting in enough effort at the defensive end that Collins is comfortable keeping him on the floor.

“Nick, I’m so proud of him. I’m really proud of that young guy. I’m so proud of him. He wants to be a good player,” Collins said.

“Being a player that’s used to playing, that’s tough. Nobody wants to sit the bench,” Young said of the DNP. “That got me motivated, but we’ve still got to find a way to pull these games out.”

The Sixers, who fizzled late in losses this week to San Antonio and Milwaukee, were off Wednesday. They’ll practice today, in advance of Saturday’s home game against the Knicks.

And Young’s high-flying dunk is sure to be a talking point among he and his teammates.